-Breathing life into aged seashells and natural fibers through my art-

Beauty in the Imperfect

My name is Sue Villanova, and I am the artist behind Broken Beach Art, art rooted in storytelling, sustainability, and the quiet poetry of nature. As an artist, I create handmade coastal framed art, ocean-inspired home décor, and nature wall weaves using organic treasures and fibers I gather from places like the shores of Florida beaches and the sheep farms of Canada and Italy. Each shell, driftwood branch and wool fiber I procure is part of the nature’s vast mosaic—weathered by waves, worn by sheep, kissed by time, and full of stories. The Beaches of the East Coast and the Mountains of the West Coast are happy places for me where I often return with inspiration, ready to create something new.

Broken Beach Art began with long, quiet walks along the shoreline — pockets filling with shells, hands gathering driftwood, eyes drawn to the textures the ocean leaves behind. I’ve always been captivated by the way the sea shapes things: softening edges, carving patterns, turning the ordinary into something worth keeping.

My work grew from those found fragments. First came shell art — pieces built from ocean‑worn treasures, arranged to celebrate their natural beauty. Over time, weaving found its way in. Fiber became another way to echo nature: the gentle movement of sea, beach or desert sunsets and the inherent beauty in living things.

Now, I create two kinds of art that speak the same language. Some pieces are sculpted from shells and driftwood alone. Others are handwoven, then anchored with coastal elements — a shell tucked into a fringe, driftwood becoming the loom’s final frame or elements from the deserts of Arizona- cholla wood, saguaro arms, needles. Both forms share the same heartbeat: honoring what the ocean and mountains offer and letting organic materials guide the design.

Broken Beach Art is a blend of tide‑worn treasures and handwoven texture — art shaped by nature, crafted by hand, and made to bring the quiet magic of Mother Nature into your home.

Find peace in the things you do, find joy in the things you love.

Broken Beach Art | Making art from things found on the beaches of the world